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March 8, 1932. B. c. MESSMAN BRASSIEIRE Filed Oct. 27, 1928 v IN V EN TOR. Bwzzz'w 6%,

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Patented Mar. 8, 1932 UNITED STATES I BEATRICE CURTIS MESSMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y. I

nnassinar.

Application filed October 27, 1928. Serial No. 815,468.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in brassieres. One of the objects of this invention is to provide a brassiere which conforms to and 5 moves with the torso and shoulder muscles of the wearer, so that such wearer may perform movements of the upper body as in dancing and sports freely and without discomfort.

I Another object of this invention is to provide a brassiere which has soft and non-irritating cups for the breasts which may be made to conform to the wearer, and are so connected that the breasts are supported in shape and position so that relative body movements of the wearer do not cause constriction or irritation of the breasts.

A further object is to provide a brassiere with supporting and securing means which may be worn beneath garments of low cut in front and back.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear in the course of the following specification and claim, an illustrative form of construction of a device embodying the present invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of such a brassiere in use;

Fig. 2 is a view on an enlarged scale of one cup member and associated parts;

Fig. 3 is a similar detail view of the central connection.

The brassiere according to the present invention comprises a symmetrical pair of ing form fitting and yielding cups to receive and contain the breasts, shoulder straps to support their weight, a central elastic pivotal connection between the members, and securing straps which pass down and around the body and are secured together at or near the waist line. In particular, the lower edge of the members and the connection extend across the bust substantially in a direct line when the wearer is at rest, and these elements move with and conform to the front shoulder muscles as the wearer raises either or both arms.

The symmetrical members 10 are formed of soft fabric such as natural or artificial silk,

members, one for each side ofthe body, havand each is substantially of triangular shape with a laterally extending tab 11 which passes around the respective side of the body to a point below the shoulder blade. The upper corner of each member 10 has secured thereto a shoulder strap 12 which passes around and is joined to the rear end of the tab 11.

It is preferred to cover any raw edges of the member by a hem or piping 13.

The central part of each member is cut out 60 to conform to the shape of the base of the individual breast, so that the member itself rests flat against the torso proper and the breasts project through these openings. A conforming cup 14, preferably of fabric 66 knitted to the shape of the breast, is fastened at the edges of the respective openin as by open hemstitching 15, and serves yie dingly to contain and support the respective breast over its entire surface. The employment of a 70 loose-knit fabric for the cup provides adequate ventilation and coolness so that no discomfort or irritation arisesfrom perspiration when the wearer is dancing or engaging in active sports.

The central corners of the two members, opposite the sternum, are connected together by crossed elastic tie elements 16 which permit an elastic relative pivotal movement of the breasts in following the shoulder muscle movements of the wearer. As shown in Fig.

2, the members are preferably manufactured with tie elements 16 which are connected at one end thereto. The members are then fitted by measurement to the wearer according to the distance between the breasts and an elastic tape l7 sewed on; the tie element 16 of each member are then sewed to the other member and to the tape 17 as shown; the remaining length is trimmed away and the no seams and raw edges are covered by tapes 17 as desired. This connection is so formed that when the wearer is in a position of rest, i. c. with her arms lowered, the lower part of the members and the connection extend in a direct line across the body; the connection lying substantially on a line joining the lower edges of the openings.

Securing tapes 18 of elastic webbing are connected to each tab 11 and are preferably of a length 'sufiicient so thatthey may be passed around the wearers body, and secured at or near the waist line in front by a glove snap fastener 19 or the like. The upward- 5 1y open V between the members '10 permits the wearing of garments cut low in front, while the downward course and frontal fastening of the tapes 18 permit low cutting in the back without danger of the tapes or tabs becoming exposed to View. In use, the brassiere'is soft, flexible and therefore comfortable: its parts are designed especially to cling to the skin ofthe torso and to move with the skin as the wearer moves,

' 5 so that a firm but elastic support is afforded at all times to the breasts throughout their area While "they are being supported in a natural shape and position, without tendency to pull the breasts in any direction nor to reo tate them. W

It is obvious that the several features of this invention may be applied in other manners within the scope of the appended claim. I claim: A brassiere comprising a pair of body members adapted to fit the body and having openings therein through which the breastsmay project, cups secured to said members'over said openings to contain and support the breasts, means connected to said members to support the same upon the body, means connecting said members along the line of the lower ed es of said openings to resist separation of t e breasts, and oblique elastic members attached to said connecting means and to said members above said means to permit an elastic pivotal movement of the breasts in following shoulder movements of the wearer while maintaining said body members flat against the body.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature. BEATRICE CURTIS MESSMAN. 

